What does the phrase life and death mean

A very urgent issue, situation, or circumstance. This expression can be used either literally, as in She told the doctor to hurry as it was a matter of life and death, or hyperbolically, as in Don’t worry about finishing on time—it’s hardly a matter of life and death.

What is matter of life or death?

Definition of a matter of life and death : something that is extremely important and often involves decisions that will determine whether someone lives or dies Being prepared for severe weather can be a matter of life and death.

Is it life or death or life or death?

Life and death is the more common version — and, for what it’s worth, to original one — so it’s probably the better choice. Note that when it’s used attributively, it’s typically hyphenated: a life-and-death situation. Life and death is older.